FC Barcelona: Raphinha lashes out after Girona debacle

Barcelona winger Raphinha marked his return to the squad with a scathing assessment of the officiating in Monday night’s 2-1 La Liga defeat to Girona. Back in the team after a short injury layoff, the Brazilian used his Instagram platform to voice his frustration over what he believes were inconsistent refereeing decisions that directly influenced the outcome.

The flash-point, according to Raphinha, came in the build-up to Girona’s decisive second goal. “It’s very complicated when the rules change depending on whether they’re for you or against you,” he posted. “But if we have to play against everyone to win, no problem, we’ll do it.”

Several of Raphinha’s team-mates, the club confirmed, felt Jules Koundé was fouled in the sequence that preceded the visitors’ clincher. The loss leaves Barcelona reflecting on dropped points at a pivotal stage of the campaign, while the winger’s public rebuke ensures the spotlight will linger on the match officials as well as the scoreline.